The simple answer is of course - the first method to stop smoking which actually works for you! How to find out what that method is, that is the real question. Well, as with most questions, the best way to find out the answer might well be to ask! There follow a few suggestions which I have given, when I have been asked.

The first method is probably among the more difficult, but I do know that it can work. There is some accepted wisdom that it is the best, but that may be difficult to prove one way or the other! What I am talking about is what is known as going 'cold turkey'. Yes, simply decide that you are no longer a smoking addict. It sounds so simple does it not? The people I know who have tried this have had mixed levels of success. None has said it was a pleasant thing to do, but without exception, the ones who succeeded were in no doubt that all the difficulties and unpleasantness were totally worth it.

I believe that the success or failure of such a drastic method depends almost entirely on an individual's overall state of mind. This can depend greatly on the timing involved; it would obviously not be wise to attempt this when there things in your life which are giving you particular difficulties. I am thinking of such things as financial problems, or perhaps a baby is teething and stress levels are already high.

When stopping smoking just like that is not really an option, perhaps you should try backing slowly away from the addiction, by using one of the various forms of nicotine replacement? I believe that the medical establishment are quite keen to help, by encouraging the use nicotine patches for instance. Once again the success or failure will be linked to state-of-mind issues, but at least you will not also be going through nicotine-withdrawal cravings. For those who like to chew gum, the nicotine-fix can be obtained that way.

Neither of these 'replacement-therapies' can substitute for the ritual elements involved in the smoking of cigarettes, but when the determination is there, then the transition to non-smoker can be somewhat less painful than immediate withdrawal.

Whatever method you choose, it could well be a good idea to involve yourself in some sort of support group. Nowadays, this need not mean having to go out and join in social situations, as there is a huge amount of help available online, for those who want to find a successful method to stop smoking.

Whether your decision has already been made, or you are simply looking at ideas, please do find out all you can about getting the help you want and need. It would be difficult to describe the feeling I would have if I found out that reading this prompted action which leads to successfully quitting smoking.